The All Black captain Richie McCaw is still recovering from a broken thumb and won't be ready to take the field for the Crusaders this week as planned.
McCaw suffered the injury in the Crusaders second round loss to the Blues and it was hoped he'd be fit for Saturday's derby against the conference leading Chiefs in Hamilton.
However coach Todd Blackadder says McCaw won't return until the match against the Brumbies next month and he may have to play at blindside to make way for the Crusaders' form flanker Matt Todd.
Bar McCaw, Blackadder should have a near full squad to chose from for Saturday's local derby against the Chiefs.
